IIS doesn't use the shebang line, at least in versions 5 & 6. The reason is that ActiveStates configures itself as a Web Service Extension by default. This means that IIS 'knows' what Perl is, its extensions, where to find it, and how to launch it. No need for a Shebang - IF the ActiveStates default install was followed, and IIS was installed on the Server at that time.

IIS isn't really a web server, its an application server. IIS uses perlis.exe rather than perl.exe. Perlis.exe is designed to work within IIS. The big advantage is that the worker pool process can manage the Perl instances and that the .dll library is only loaded once.

Here's a well written explanation of how it works and the advantages, complete with his experiments.

Here's the latest. Based on louwk's report that he could substitute the 2.3.1 version of Settings_Advanced.pl and my execution trace of the code, plus my logging on TickToo's server and checking things, plus running his forum as admin. I was going to 'diff' the files but they are very 'diff'erent. The developers have a suggested course of action.

Bear in mind, we have no way to test this as my Test servers are not experiencing the problem. When we find what is wrong, we may have an explanation.

they suggest you comment out one code block at a time, to see if we can ascertain where the problem lies.

inserting the # (hash/number sign) at the beginning of a statement in Perl will comment it out, and prevent execution. Perl statements all end in the semicolon ';'. I expect you guys may now this, but its also in case others follow these steps.

I always do these things in a code editor so the syntax checker can tell me what's up with my changes.

What's with the angry face thing? I have the impression from your posts that your server is working correctly now.

I'm at work right now installing a new server. I'll take a look when I get a chance later today if what you want me to confirm is that you have 'all your options'. Here's a screen shot of the Advanced Tabs

I can't imagine why it would not be as designed, but I didn't write it either.